MULTAN: The city district administration has intensified its crackdown on black marketers, conducting raids across markets, plazas and shops, resulting in the arrest of several violators and the sealing of their establishments.
Over the past 48 hours, the authorities have arrested 200 persons in a large-scale operation targeting hoarders and price manipulators. This mega crackdown has yielded significant results, with prices of essential commodities dropping noticeably in several areas.
The price control magistrates conducted raids in various markets, imposing fines totalling Rs 225,000 on shopkeepers found guilty of hoarding goods. More than 13,000 inspections were carried out, leading to the sealing of 27 shops in the city. Additionally, two cases were registered for artificially inflating prices, and 133 people were arrested under the Price Act.
Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Bokhari warned that artificial inflation would not be tolerated during the holy month of Ramazan. He emphasised that market demand and supply chains are closely monitored to prevent exploitation. “Relief measures, including doubled sugar supplies at subsidized rates, are being provided to the public through Sahulat Bazaar,” he stated.The crackdown, launched on Wednesday under the deputy commissioner’s directives, aims to protect citizens from exploitative practices by wholesalers and hoarders.